- #1
Delzac
- 389
- 0
Homework Statement
The distance between the Earth and Alpha Centauri is 4.2 light years (1 light year is the distance traveled by light in one year). If astronauts could travel at v = 0.95c, then we on Earth would assume that the trip would take the astronauts 4.2 / 0.95 = 4.4 years. The astronauts however, disagree.
a) How much time passes on the astronauts clock?
b) What distance to Alpha Centauri do the astronauts measure?
Homework Equations
[tex]\Delta T = \gamma \Delta T_0[/tex]
[tex]L = L_0/\gamma[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
a)
[tex] v=0.95c \Delta T=4.4[/tex]
Sub the values into equation you get [tex]\Delta T_0 = 1.37[/tex]
b)
We have [tex] L_0=4.2 v=0.95c[/tex]
Sub into equation we have L = 1.311 light years
Another Qns :
Exam smart, [tex] L < L_O[/tex] once again?
Also, is [tex]L_O = 4.2[/tex] because we are measuring the distance between the destination, and we are at rest relative to the 2 location?